David J. (Coach) Britton, 67, of Limestone, passed away on Friday, June 19 at Johnson City Medical Center.
A native of Carbondale, PA, he is the son of MC Britton and Ethyl Clemens Britton, both deceased. Dave graduated from Washington College Academy, Limestone, in 1965. Attending East Tennessee State University, he graduated with Bachelor and Masters of Arts degrees in English.
Dave, aka Coach Britton, spent 34 years combining his love of teaching and coaching in the Washington County, TN school system before retiring in 2005. Dave began his teaching and coaching career at Jonesborough Middle School where he taught English and coached football, basketball, and baseball. He then served at a PE teacher and baseball coach at Lamar Elementary.
Dave finished his career teaching English and coaching football, basketball, baseball, and cross country at David Crockett High School. Many of Dave’s former students can credit their writing skills to having been in his class. In his spare time, he ran the clock for women’s sports and taught in the Adult Education GED program.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, James Bert Britton, father-in-law, William H. Glaze, and a nephew, Gary Smith.
Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Sandra Glaze Britton, of Limestone; son Eric Britton and wife Kathy of Telford; son Michael Britton of Jonesborough, grandchildren DJ Britton, Dillon Wells, Rylie Britton, and Alex Britton; sister, Dorothy Smith of Huntington Beach, CA; a brother, Robert Britton and wife Carolyn of Carbondale, PA; mother-in-law, Virginia Glaze of Limestone; brother-in-law, Jimmy Glaze and wife Rita of Greeneville, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
We wish to offer sincere appreciation to his Wonderful Wednesday visiting crew and the Limestone United Methodist Church Women’s Group.
Anyone wishing to pay their respects and to visit with the family are welcome at the family home in Limestone.
Graveside service will be conducted 10:00 AM Wednesday, June 24, 2015 at Salem Cemetery with Mr. Santo Cicirello officiating. A memorial service will be at a later date.
Memorial services will be conducted 7:00 PM Thursday, July 9, 2015 at the David Crockett High School Gymnasium with Rev. Jeremy Dykes officiating.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that contributions to be sent to the Salem Presbyterian Cemetery, 147 Washington College Rd, Limestone, TN 37681.
I have many wonderful memories of Bert and Dustin playing football together at APSU and both families attending all the football games. We looked forward to seeing David and Sandra and DJ at each football game. Those were good years and such sweet memories. Sandra and family our thoughts and prayers are with you now and in the days ahead. DJ will always hold a special place in our hearts, just loved the way he looked up to Bert and Dustin, it was just so special.
LOVE TO ALL
Brenda and Randy Wilson
Springfield, TN
Fond memories. Coach was my PE teacher at Lamar way back in the day. I would always give him grief about chewing tobacco in school, and he would simply say "that's just raisins boy." To his family, my deepest sympathy. I will never forget him.
06/27/2015
Robert A (Bob) Smith
My sister Linda told me about Daves's passing. I
remember him well from our time on the sports teams
at WCA. He was one of the good guys. I'm sure,
Sandra you are proud of him for the way he lived
his life and the many, many young people for whom
he served as a strong positive role model.
I hope you both were able to attend your 50th
reunion at WCA this past May. Mine was two years
ago, but was not well attended. I started to come
this year to see if I could renew some
acquaintances, but I don't get out much anymore
because of advancing Parkinson's Disease.
Coach Britton told me one time after the state
championship game "Don't u dare put your head down,
keep your chin up".That has stuck with me my whole
life. Thanks coach. You will be missed dearly by
all.
06/22/2015
Mike (Chico) Alabed
I went to David Crockett when David was a coach along with coach Cicirello, reading the paper this morning brought back memories that I will never forget, I graduated in 1978 when we lost another one of my teachers in auto mechanics Mr. Burkett Haynes. My heart goes out to the Britton family.....
06/22/2015
Lisa Haynes Hoyle
He was a great coach, teacher and he was a friend to all his students. RIP Coach Britton. You will be dearly missed.
06/22/2015
Thomas B. Hager. Jr
To the Family of David Britton:
Please accept my deepest sympathy on the loss of Dave. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers as you go through this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Tom Hager, Jr.
06/22/2015
Sherry Freeman
My condolences to his family and love ones:) Coach Britton
was not only a great English teacher or Coach he was more I
remember he made me reach for the stars and higher grades
in his class as he did other students who he knew could do it.
He also didn't forget a student once they were now longer in
his class he could see you at a ball game out in town or
around the school and holler you last name out as he mostly
called the students by them:) He made my high school years
at Crockett memerable. I hope my own child encounter a
teacher similar to him that will impact them not only their
school years but on thur their adult years as Coach Britton has
mine:) Rest in Peace Coach:)
06/22/2015
Darleen Wilson-Peters
as a student of coach brittons at lamar then again
at crockett i can say he was a wonderful teacher
and friend. he was a good friend to my parents
when they worked at lamar. he will be greatly
missed by all that knew him
06/22/2015
Kim Sparks-Livingston
As I read this I couldn't help but smile. So many memories of
his class. To the family left behind I am very sorry for your loss.
I hope God grants you peace, comfort, and understanding in
the days to come. Coach, I hope you are having tons of
Hershey bars with Almonds. Those candy bars still make me
smile when I eat one. They remind me of how I made it
through your class!
My sincere condolences to the family of one of the greatest guys I knew in the late 60's at ETSU. We were on the same dorm hall and he was at that time one of my best friends. May God be with you and guide you through this tough time.
06/21/2015
Cherie Matthews
Sandra, Eric, Michael and family, All My Love,
Heart and Prayers are with your family.
06/21/2015
Hilda (Carter) Bryant
Sandra, so sorry for your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with
you at this time.
